Improvement in plows



F. M.- McMEEKIN.

Improvement in Plows;

N0.123,717, Pa tented Feb. 13,1872.

PATENT OFFICE.

FRANCIS M. MOMEEKIN, OF PUTNAM COUNTY, FLORIDA.

IMPROVEMENT IN .PLOWS.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 123,717, dated February 13, 1872.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, FRANCIS M. MGMEEKIN, of the county of Putnam and State of Florida, have invented a new and valuable Improvement in Gang-Flows; and I do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the construction and operation of the same, reference being had to the annexed drawing making part of this specification, and to the letters and figures of reference marked thereon.

Figure 1 of the drawing is a representation of a vertical longitudinal section of my invention. Fig. 2 is a top view. Fig. 3 is a perspective view, showin g shovel-b eam and shovel.

This invention has relation to gang-plows; and the novelty consists in the construction and arrangement of the shovel-beams, which enables the shovels to be adjusted to different angles. Also, in the construction of and method of attaching the bar which holds the shovel-beams to the draft-beam in an adjustable manner, as hereinafter described- Referring to the drawing, A represents the draft-beam,provided with the ordinary guidinghandles B. O designates the bar, to the under side of which the shovel-beams are secured at regular intervals apart. E F represent two curved slots cut in the bar 0. Through these slots pass vertical bolts E F, fastened by means of nuts resting on top of the draft-beam, through which said bolts are inserted. The slots E F correspond to the curvature of the same circle. The use of the slots E F and bolts E F allows of the adjustment of the bar (J in order to regulate the position of the shovels in relation to the direction of the draft, said bolts acting together in the capacity of a pivot, but with greater security than a single bolt in the center or at any other point. It will be observed that when the ends of the slots touch the bolts the bar becomes locked against further movement in the direction of the resistance. F designates double-pointed shovels, capable of being reversed, point for point, according as they become worn. The

double-pointed shovels are not necessarily part of this invention. Various kinds of shovels may be used. G represents the beams, each of which I construct from a single bar of metal, which I bend to a shape similar in appearance to the letter Y. To the forward leg 9 of the beam I give a slight curve to coincide with the curvature of the shovel. I then carry the leg upward in a vertical line, form a slight flange, c, and secure it to the bar 0 by means of a bolt, 6. The front and rear legs g g of the beam being in one piece, a slot or channel is left between their contiguous sides, through which channel I pass the bolt 9 securing the shovel in place. On the end or the bolt g I place a nut, h, as shown. By means of this arrangement of the shovel, it may be raised and lowered, and its angle of downward and lateral or oblique incline varied, the nut h being loosened, and the bolt raised or lowered, as desired. By raising the shovel, the angle of forward and downward incline may be made as abrupt as necessary or desirable. The legs of the plow-beam, being united, serve in the capacity of braces to support and strengthen each other, and as they diverge at their upper ends they are capable of forming together a very rigid support to the shovel.

WVhat I claim as my invention,-and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is

The improved shovel-beam G, having the forward and rear diagonal legs together formed from a single bar of metal, bent to the form shown and described, in combination with the adjustable shovels F secured and rendered adjustable by means of the bolt 9 and nut h, substantially in the manner described.

In testimony that I claim the above, I have WVitnesses JOHN LIVINGSTON, H. lVICBRIDE. 

